Photo
A Photo tells the AI who the character is.
What it does
Locks in a person’s face, hair, and overall likeness
Keeps body proportions consistent (child vs. adult, tall vs. short)
Preserves defining features like glasses, braces, hats, or hairstyles
When to use
Your child’s appearance changes slightly across pages
An edit made a character drift or lose likeness
You want the same face and look carried through different scenes
Example
You love how Sophie looks in one of your uploaded photos.
Select that Photo when editing or regenerating.
Now Sophie’s face will stay consistent across all pages and scenes.
Note: You can change which photo is selected later, but you cannot upload new photos once your storybook has started.
Style Guide Image
A Style Guide Image tells the AI how the page should look.
What it does
Keeps the color palette consistent (pastel, bright, warm tones, etc.)
Maintains the lighting and mood (sunny, cozy, magical, dreamy)
Preserves the art style (watercolor, sketch, cartoon) across pages
When to use
Colors or tones vary between pages
One page feels darker or brighter than the rest
You want your book to maintain a consistent storybook tone
Example
If one page has the perfect soft watercolor glow, set it as your Style Guide Image.
When editing another page, it will automatically match that same tone and color style.
Using Both Together
The best results come from combining both:
Photo: Keeps the characters consistent
Style Guide Image: Keeps the tone and color consistent
Example Workflow
Pick Sophie’s best Photo → locks her face and features.
Pick a favorite Style Guide Image → locks the watercolor tone and mood.
Prompt: “Change Sophie’s coat to purple, keep everything else the same.”
Result: Sophie looks the same across pages, and the art style stays unified and balanced.
FAQ
Do I have to use both every time?
No — but using both together gives the most consistent results.
What if I only use a Photo?
Characters will stay consistent, but tone and lighting may vary.
What if I only use a Style Guide Image?
Pages will match in tone, but faces or proportions might change slightly.
Can I change them later?
Yes — you can choose different Photos or Style Guide Images later, but you cannot upload new photos once your storybook has started.